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ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) is on high alert ahead of the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan protest.

Pims media coordinator Dr Waseem Khawaja told Dawn that according to standard operating procedures, the possibility of a large number of injured people cannot be rejected.

“Therefore, the hospital has been put on high alert. Additional lifesaving drugs have been provided to the emergency department and the pharmacy to ensure medicines are available in case of injuries,” he said.

He said additional staff have been deputed to ensure workers are available in an emergency, and specialists and other staff have been instructed to ensure their availability on landlines.

“It has been decided that over 20 beds will remain vacant at all times. The blood bank has been instructed to ensure blood is available; at least 20 bags of O- blood will be ensured because it becomes difficult to arrange O- blood in case of an emergency,” Dr Khawaja added.